Singapore - The Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) had introduced travel restrictions for affected countries/regions and enhanced our testing regime for travellers, including those arriving via the Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs)

In response to the emergence of the Omicron variant globally, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) had introduced travel restrictions for affected countries/regions and enhanced our testing regime for travellers, including those arriving via the Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs). 

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UK - Some of the temporary Customs and VAT easements introduced on 1 January 2021 for goods moving between Great Britain and the EU will be removed on 1 January 2022

Businesses trading with the European Union (EU) have less than a month to get ready for new import and exports customs controls which come into force from 1 January 2022.

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Taiwan ROC - Foreign Profit-seeking Business Entities With Any Fixed Places of Business Within Our Territory Selling Services Shall File and Pay Business Tax

The National Taxation Bureau of Taipei, Ministry of Finance (NTBT) expressed that, for any foreign profit-seeking business entities with any fixed places of business in the territory selling services to their domestic business entities, the fixed places of business shall issue uniform invoices, and file and pay business tax in accordance with the law.

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New Zealand - Phased border re-opening pushed out to the end of February 2022

• The interval between the second dose and the booster shot reduced from 6 months to 4 months
• Over 82 per cent of vaccinated New Zealanders eligible for a booster by end of Feb 2022
• Eligible border and health workers required to get booster dos
• Pre-departure test requirement to enter NZ reduced from 72 hours to 48 hours before travel
• Phased border re-opening pushed out to the end of February
• Temporary change to MIQ – length of stay increased to 10 days for all travellers, with no self-isolation component
• Everyone on an international flight with a positive case to be treated as a close contact
• All countries removed from Very High Risk country list
• Cabinet confirms decision to roll out paediatric doses of Pfizer for 5-11s. Rollout to start from 17 January prior to school returning in 2022
• Cabinet confirms use of traffic light system to manage outbreak and in the event of Omicron outbreaks areas will move into the red traffic light setting 

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Philippines - The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that it would be implementing the updated policy on the country’s green, yellow, and red lists

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that it would be implementing the updated policy on the country’s green, yellow, and red lists. 

In an advisory, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente shared that 41 countries have been included in the Philippine’s green list, as set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases 

READ THE PRESS RELEASE HERE

Italy - Singapore in list E of third countries from December 16 to January 31, 2022. Entry only allowed for specific reasons

According to the attached Ordinance of the Ministry of Health dated December 14, 2021, valid from December 16, 2021 to January 31, 2022, Singapore and Brunei are in the list E of third countries.

Entry into Italy from these countries does not require any authorization from the Ministry of Health but is allowed only for specific reasons:

a) work

b) health reasons

c) study reasons

d) absolute urgency

e) return to one's domicile, home, or residence. 

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UK - 11 countries removed from the UK’s red list from 4am Wednesday 15 December

Government announces all 11 countries on the UK red list will be removed from 4am Wednesday 15 December as Omicron spreads in countries around the world.

• Pre-departure tests and PCR testing measures on or before day 2 remain in place, with a review of all travel measures in the new year

• Change comes as the government calls on all adults to come forward and Get Boosted Now

As the Health Secretary set out earlier today, Ministers have agreed to remove all 11 remaining countries from the UK’s red list from 4am 15 December, following review of the latest risk assessment from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). 

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HKSAR - Tighter inbound travel rules set (Mauritius and Sierra Leone will be listed as Group A specified places from 15 December 2021)

The Government today announced that in view of the detection of Omicron cases, Mauritius and Sierra Leone will be listed as Group A specified places from next Wednesday.

Non-Hong Kong residents who have stayed in these places within 21 days will not be allowed to enter the city, the Government elaborated. 

READ THE NEWS HERE 

READ MORE ABOUT INBOUND TRAVEL HERE

New Zealand - New border exception to support rapidly growing tech sector

Border class exceptions for 600 much-needed specialist tech workers have been announced by the Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications, Dr David Clark.

“The sector is now one of our top three exporters, and jobs in tech have been growing at twice the rate of the general economy. It has continued to expand during the COVID-19 pandemic, placing pressure on the demand for talent,” David Clark said. 

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Canada - New measures to help companies meet their diversity and inclusion targets

Equity, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to Canada’s economy, both now and in the future. 

When their senior executives are reflective of Canada’s diversity, businesses and organizations of all sizes benefit. 

The Government of Canada believes that corporate Canada should look like Canada and that bringing broader perspectives and talents to decision-making bodies is essential to building back a stronger and more resilient country. 

READ MORE HERE